Baton Rouge, La. – For the third year in a row, Baton Rouge General
is the only hospital in Baton Rouge to earn an “A” for patient
safety from the Leapfrog Group, an independent, non-profit employer-sponsored
organization. They are also the only “A” in the region.

Leapfrog Group’s Hospital Safety Score program reviews the outcomes
and processes of more than 2,600 facilities across the country and generates
a report card for each, with an A, B, C, D or F letter grade. The grade
indicates the hospital’s overall outcomes in keeping patients safe
from preventable conditions, including infections, acquired injuries such
as bedsores, and falls, as well as process outcomes such as proper staffing
and medication reconciliation.

“At Baton Rouge General, the safety of our patients is our top priority,
and every member of our team champions the highest standards for quality
and patient safety,” said Mark Slyter, President and CEO. “Earning
an “A” for patient safety three years running is testament
to the culture of transparency and excellence we are fostering.”

“As healthcare providers, report cards keep us striving for perfection
in patient care. They also help patients make informed decisions about
their healthcare,” said Dr. Robert Kenney, Vice President of Medical
Operations.

Patients experience safety scores and quality measures in a much more
tangible way. For Ronald LeBlanc, quality care is surviving a major heart
attack with no damage to his heart. Reliable, safe processes executed
by the team of cardiac experts at Baton Rouge General meant the artery
blocking blood flow to LeBlanc’s heart was rapidly and safely treated
– saving his life. “From beginning to end, each step of the
process was thorough and clearly explained to me,” said LeBlanc.
“Every single person was in control and took action without hesitation.
I knew I was in expert hands.”

Developed by a panel of physicians and experts from Harvard, Stanford,
Johns Hopkins, Vanderbilt, University of Michigan and the University of
California, Leapfrog’s scoring methodology is comprised of 28 evidence-based,
national performance measures to determine hospitals’ safety scores,
including 15 process or structural measures and 11 outcome-based. The
scores are derived from an analysis of the Leapfrog Hospital Survey data
and publicly reported measures from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services (CMS) as well as secondary data sources.